VSS Unity Takes to Sky for First Captive Flight
Virgin Galactic conducted the first captive flight test of its new spaceship the VSS Unity on September 8th. Virgin Galactic has suffered a series of setbacks during the development of its suborbital spaceflight system. However, the company appears to have recovered and still indicates that 700 people have deposited $250,000 for the opportunity to travel into space.
It is unclear when Virgin Galactic will conduct its first flight test into space but it should likely occur sometime in the next 12 months.
Why this news is important
Space tourism is important as it should be a life changing experience that raises awareness of the fragility and preciousness of our planet and the need to colonize other planets. Many astronauts and cosmonauts who have seen firsthand the reality of the Earth from space, immediately understood it to be a tiny, fragile ball of life, "hanging in the void", shielded and nourished by a paper-thin atmosphere. Such a perspective, known as the "overview effect", often cause spaceflight participants to want to better protect our planets fragile biosphere.
Better understanding the fragility of Earth should also motivate investment in efforts to spread humanity and the other Earth species to other planets in order to avoid extinction events.
Image credit and references
Video of VSS Unity first captive flight test shared by Virgin Galactic, September 9, 2016.
Press release from Virgin Galactic, "Update From Mojave: VSS Unity’s First Flight Test Completed," September 9, 2016.
